ATON Survey

[Bob Bradley]

I received this note from my boat club. I recommend that anyone interested in safe boating in shallow water complete the survey.

From my club commodore:
The US Coast Guard is undertaking a survey OF PUBLIC INPUT for navigation aides in less than 12 feet of water which expires on NOV 1st.

Many believe it is the prelude of trying to discontinue them.

That is why as many people as possible should take the survey – it only takes a couple of minutes – and indicate how important the aids to navigation are –

The survey can be found on line at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShallowWaterWAMS

Since the survey must be completed by NOV 1st we urge you to inform all of your fellow boating enthusiasts ASAP.

 

[oscarvan]

Done.

 

[Pettigrewr]

Done,
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[rmatt]

Done.

 

[jrbrein]

Easy.

Done

 

[Lmcruiser]

Done. Thanks for posting.

 

[rsmith]

Wonder if the USCG has been talking to the FAA about getting rid of markers the was FAA has talked about VOR NDB and LOM for years now. I don’t think relying on GPS is accurate enough for marine navigation in shallow waters

 

[oscarvan]

I don’t think relying on GPS is accurate enough for marine navigation in shallow waters

It's not. Commercial aviation has a lot less obstructions in a comparatively huge safe zone and in the terminal area there's D-GPS for GPS based approaches. The ones I was shooting had, IIRC, a 0.3 nm tolerance. That's close enough when it takes less than 10 seconds to cover the distance but not in the water where 10 feet makes the difference. General aviation, as always, will have to fend for itself.

I suspect the objective is to shift the burden, as much as possible, to local government. IOW, if the marina/town wants customers they'll have to put the markers in and maintain them. Feds will then do the no mans land...... Speculating of course but we all have seen this dance before.

 

[jap201]

done.

 

[Rich60175]

Done, thank you for the notice and link.

Richard

 

[Sadey]

Done and thanks for the heads up.

 

[Pascal]

I think GPS accuracy is good enough except in narrow channels, say less than 100’ wide. I don’t think I have ever had an instance where the GPS track was off. Heck, in the Bahamas there are no ATONs and we navigate at night all the time using gps sounder and Radar...

 

[Briankinley2004]

done .

 

[bigbill]

done, thanks

 

[SEVEN]

Done.

 

[steve c]

Done.

 

[Boatsb]

I'm not afraid to admit I like having them. Its better to have than need. Without markers how do you show your wife she was in the wrong place and ran you around.

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

done , thanks

 

[Jims43DC]

Done and thanks for bringing this to my attention

 

[wpc691]

Done, thanks.